A/N: Thanks for the feedback! It's been far too long, I know! I've been so busy, winter break is coming up, and finals will be after that break D: On with the chapter!
Chapter 10
Gale didn't pursue Katniss after her outburst. He was astounded. He had stood there, unsure of what to do next. After a few minutes, he came to his senses. He still had a family to feed.
While Gale was hunting and checking his snares, he was mulling over Katniss. When he was trading at the Hob, he was still thinking of her. He was so distracted he didn't even hear Rooba, even when she practically yelled in his ear.
She grew frustrated and hit him over the head with a frying pan. "GALE!"
Gale shouted out, "DAMN!"
Rooba glared at him.
Gale grimaced. "Sorry. So what?"
They made a deal, and he left, his mind already drifting back to her. Katniss Everdeen. What was it about her that paralyzed him? That stunned him? That made him happy?
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At home, Gale silently prodded his food, pushing it around on his plate.
"Gale? Are you okay?" Hazelle's face was worried. She felt his forehead.
Gale pushed away. "I'm fine. Just exhausted. I think I'll just go to bed." Gale excused himself and headed to bed. He was the first one in bed, but the last one asleep.
That night, he kept tossing and turning. He was restless. She plagued his mind. As he heard his siblings' breathing subside into soft puffs, he pulled himself up and set his feet on the ground. He couldn't do this. He snuck outside and walked around, letting the cold, fresh air clear his mind.
Gale headed home and slipped back into the warmth of his bed. He suddenly felt drained, and fell into a deep sleep.
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Regardless to the fact that he had less than six hours of sleep, Gale woke up energized.
He tossed on his clothes and supplies and practically burst out of the house. He was jumpy. What was he supposed to expect from Katniss? Would she even show up?
His question was answered as soon as he made it to their meeting spot. Katniss sat on a boulder, her knees tucked beneath her chin.
"Katniss?" Gale was unsure what to do.
An awkward silence filled the air.
"Gale." Katniss pushed herself off the rock and stood up and slowly walked towards him. "I can explain."
"Look, we can just forget it," Gale responded.
Katniss took a breath. "No. We can't just pretend it never happened. I can explain."
When Gale didn't say anything, she plowed on. "I, I don't know. I've already lost my father. I could lose my family to hunger. I could lose Prim to the Hunger Games. I've lost my friends. It's just - you're the first person in a long time who makes me feel...happy. No, that's not it. Not quite. More like..whole. Whole. That's it. You make me feel whole again, Gale. I feel something."
She stared at the ground, peeking through her eyelashes, waiting for a reaction. "Gale?"
Gale stared at her. "What the fuck Katniss. Why couldn't you just tell me? Yeah, I get it. You could have just made it simple. "
"Well," Katniss stammered. "I-I-I'm just not good at things like this!"
Gale pulled her into an embrace. "Catnip. I care about you too."
Her body was rigid, then it relaxed, molding to his shape. Then she pulled back, her face red. "Sorry." She turned her head away.
Gale reached out and gently pushed it back to face his. "Katniss. You don't have to be ashamed of caring. We're friends, right?"
Katniss broke out in a tiny smile. "Yeah." And this time, she hugged him. "I care about you, Gale," she whispered into his ear.
Gale laughed. "Finally. Maybe you'll actually be nice to me now."
Katniss chuckled. "Maybe." She swatted his arm. Then her expression became serious once more. "But Gale? I really meant what I said before. You mean something to me. I'm just not sure what yet."
And thus, the start of a beautiful and amazing friendship was born.
A/N: Hey :) This was a short chapter, how did you like it? How was the end? Kind of cheesy, but I'm just a softie...I think I might have two or three more chapters, then end this. Then I'll start a sequel :) How about it? I would love your ideas and feedback! Much appreciated!
